Opportunities for Women

Helping Women Succeed since 1972! The Opportunities for Women page was designed to be used by undergraduate and graduate women seeking employment or funding, and leadership or activism opportunities in their collegiate career.

EmploymentIn the state of Idaho, women on average earn less than $12,500 per year (less than $6.00 per hour). This is 49.8% of the average man’s wages and is the lowest salary range in the country (U.S. Census). In the United States, women have a greater likelihood of being well compensated if educated. Women who graduated from college earned about 76 percent more than women with only a high school diploma in 2004, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the wage gap between men and women remains a significant issue. Furthermore, being a minority woman seeking employment or equitable compensation can present further challenges. It is for these reasons, and many more, that we have compiled a list of resources on-campus, off-campus, and throughout the nation for women seeking employment opportunities. It is the goal of the Women’s Center to help contribute in part to the success of women’s professional careers.

Scholarships and FundingThe cost of a college degree is often the deterrent for women and minorities. In a recent analysis by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce, they found “over a ten-year period ending in 2002–2003, after adjusting for inflation, average tuition and fees at both public and private four-year colleges and universities rose 38 percent” (Committee on Education and the Workforce). In a recent article by M.J. Farrelly titled “College Tuition Continues to Rise in U.S.” for Voices of America newsgroup, it was reported there is financial aid available for students, but increases in grant and scholarship money have not kept up with the increases in tuition. Furthermore, "a larger and larger percentage of the aid that's there is not going to the students for whom it might make a difference in whether they go to college or not. It's going to be used as an enticement in this competition for students that will raise your prestige by getting students with the highest SAT scores (i.e. national exam scores) and the highest grade points out of high school" (Voices for America).

Leadership and ActivismMany great things have been accomplished through the leadership and activism of women in the United States. From women's suffrage to welfare state programs during the labor movement, women's leadership has resulted in significant cultural and social changes. Today, women leaders and activists play as important of a role as ever. However, women are still underrepresented in positions of leadership. For example, only 15.1% of the U.S. House of Representatives and 14% of the U.S. Senate are women (Center for American Women and Politics). Of "180 countries in the world only 14 are led by elected women heads of government" (Women's Learning Partnership). This discrepancy exists in business as well. 10 of 100 Fortune 500 companies are run by women (CNN Money). Beyond leadership positions, women’s activism has had an important impact on equal pay, women’s health, the environment, reproductive rights, sexual harassment, the legal system, voting and education. Women’s leadership and activism is at the root of our effort’s to eradicate gender inequity.

Please feel free to contact the Women’s Center for any additional information.